Though it was once America's dominant import car brand, Volkswagen has long played second fiddle to Honda and Toyota, among others.

There's a reason for this. Volkswagen's models have traditionally been pricier than those from American and Asian automakers. So, while the Volkswagen Jetta didn't sell in the numbers seen by the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla or Ford Focus, it did possess the handling, build quality and feel of a true European sports sedan.

In an effort to increase sales, Volkswagen decided to produce a Jetta at a price that Americans couldn't refuse. The result was the 2011 model with a price starting at $1,740 less than the 2010 Jetta.

When I first sampled the revised Jetta more than a year ago, it was easy to see where the company saved money.

The most obvious was the interior, which was notably less expensive than the outgoing model. This was surprising. Volkswagen, and its sibling brand Audi, have long set the standard for high-quality interiors.

Engines were culled from the corporate shelf, including the ancient 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the rough but potent 170-hp 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. Transmissions include a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic.

But would the Jetta's lower cost impact its reliability? It was a question worth answering with a three-month, long-term test. Volkswagen of America sent a top-of-the-line 2012 Jetta SEL Premium for my evaluation.

The base Jetta is the 2.0L S model, with an attractive starting price of $16,675, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic is optional. Standard features include power windows and locks, air-conditioning, radio with CD player, remote keyless entry, power and heated exterior mirrors, six-way adjustable front seats, 60/40-split rear seat, and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel.

If you want the bigger 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, you'll have to spend more for the 2.5L SE. There are also SEL and SEL Premium models, with additional equipment, but not added performance.

You might also want to investigate the 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel model, with a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine and a base price of $22,990. It's rated at 30 mpg city, 42 mpg highway and 34 mpg in combined city/highway driving. A Jetta with even better fuel economy is coming soon in the form of the Jetta Hybrid, with an estimated combined city/highway rating of 45 mpg.

If I were choosing a Jetta, there's only one I would opt for: the 2.0T GLI. With a starting price of $23,945, standard features include the wonderfully powerful 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine matched with the independent rear suspension that's missing from other Jettas. With a more sporting set-up, this is the one new Jetta that feels like older ones.

And it's the Jetta's change in character from the old model to this one that's the most notable part of this car.

Whereas previous Jettas felt small, the 2012 model has generous cabin space for four full-size Americans — five, if they're friendly. There's more than ample head and legroom.

The cabin is matched with an equally sizable trunk that easily allows for copious amounts of luggage or groceries. Even a trip to the warehouse club can't fill this cargo hold. That said, it would be nice if there were grocery hooks or a cargo net to keep items from sliding around.

Despite the ample accommodations, the Jetta is not mammoth; it's perfectly sized — not too big, not too small.

While jetting around in the Jetta, you'll find the firm front bucket seats have decent side bolstering, even if they're somewhat flat. The tilt/telescopic steering wheel and adjustable driver's seat made it easy to find a comfortable driving position. Visibility is excellent in all directions, so a rear back-up camera is not needed.

Once seated, you might notice the sea of hard plastic that swallows the cabin. This is mitigated by the SEL Premium's two-tone interior with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, metallic trim, leatherette seating and some soft touch surfaces. Still, I wish that the center console were higher and placed further forward in the cabin so it could serve as a center armrest.

The test car had a navigation system integrated with the audio system. The screen is small, and the navigation system's map rarely shows much detail as a result.

The screen's small size also hinders the radio presets. It's great that VW supplies 18 of them, but only six are displayed at one time. To see the next six, you turn a knob, which twirls the display. It can be disconcerting while driving.

As for the powertrain, the potent five-cylinder engine provides good performance if you're shifting for yourself. If you prefer an automatic, you'll find the sport mode much more fun than the normal drive mode, which is notably less exciting.

On the flip side, mileage is decent; overall test mileage was 27.7 mpg, with highway mileage surpassing the EPA's rating of 31 mpg.

Handling is OK, but lacks the sublime European flair you might expect. Low speed bumps are absorbed, but the Jetta doesn't possess the taut, hunkered-down feel of older models, with the car bounding softly over the worst bumps. Pronounced body lean comes on quickly in corners, and the tires scrub off speed if you get too frisky behind the wheel. Braking is adequate. Steering is nicely weighted. Road, engine and tire noise are noticeable, but not bothersome.

The Jetta's performance would have been flawless, but for two issues, one major, one minor.

The major issue was puzzling.

This particular Jetta possessed a putrefying cabin odor that was present from day one. Other Jettas that I have driven have not had this strong petrochemical smell. The aroma was reduced once I placed six Odor Eater shoe inserts on the carpet, but it never dissipated.

The second issue was surprising. The day before I was to turn the car back to Volkswagen, with a little over 3,500 miles on the odometer, the right rear turn signal failed. It's nothing major, but it would require a dealer visit to fix under warranty.

Otherwise, the car was as tight and rattle-free as the day it was delivered. And unlike cars with more adventurous styling, you'll never tire of this car's looks. This is one handsome ride.

Overall, I liked the Jetta's perfect size, roomy cabin, looks and reasonable fuel economy. I tolerated the odor. But I missed the personality it once possessed. While you can get that in the GLI model, albeit at a higher price, most Jettas won't have it.

In the end, that may not matter.

The Jetta fulfills its promise as a Volkswagen. It is a people's car — frugal, roomy and practical. But it's no longer the car that built the Jetta's reputation: that of an inexpensive sports sedan.

It's just an inexpensive sedan.

And while there's nothing wrong with that, it's not the sort of car that will evoke passion.